Story of Partnership in St. Charles: River Corridor Foundation & St. Charles Noon Rotary
St. Charles Noon Rotary member Bob Brown (on left) & River Corridor Foundation member Joe Boyd (right) at Rhythm on the River eventTwo St. Charles Non-profits come Together for Community
The Kane County Magazine ran an article in their November issue celebrating the partnership between the River Corridor Foundation and the St. Charles Noon Rotary Club. For the past 4 years these groups have joined together to bring the “Rhythm on the River” concert to St. Charles. Proceeds from the concert have been split between these two nonprofit groups to support their respective projects.
Both nonprofit organizations share a commitment to service and a passion towards improving St. Charles.
We appreciate and value the strong partnership we have with the St. Charles Noon Rotary and look forward to working together for years to come. It’s also rewarding to have Kane County Magazine recognize and celebrate this partnership. – Holly Cabel, President River Corridor Foundation.
Below is the story written by the Kane County Magazine:
A story of partnership — Two St. Charles
non-profits come together for community
Created: Wednesday, October 29, 2014 11:25 a.m. CDT
Members in both the St. Charles Noon Rotary and the River Corridor Foundation attest they feel very fortunate to live and work in St. Charles. Both of these civic organizations are committed to enhancing the town and the lives of those in our community. And while their charters are different, it is a common appreciation for St. Charles that brings them together, discovering that when groups collaborate, they are able to do something much bigger than either organization could do alone.
Reverend Al Patten, retired Pastor of St. Charles Baker Memorial Methodist Church and his wife, Maurine, came up with the idea for a fundraising concert that would benefit both non-profit organizations. Rev. Al has been a long standing member in both organizations and he recognized that together the two organizations could produce a really fun event for the local community.
The “Rhythm on the River” concert in October represented the fourth year the groups were working together, and it is the hope this partnership will continue long into the future. To date through this annual concert, more than $100,000 has been jointly raised to spend on community projects and scholarships.
The St. Charles Noon Rotary Club actively brings the local business and professional community together for civic involvement and to raise money for local charitable giving. Its motto is “Service Above Self” and it really captures the spirit. In the past six years, teh Rotary Club has provided more than $64,000 in local area scholarships. Members have also provided other local charitable giving and service project. In addition to a focus on St. Charles, the Club has been involved in building a school and library in Guatemala and sent emergency aid to Haiti.
River Corridor Foundation’s objective is to make downtown St. Charles a regional destination by enhancing the riverfront. Members have been involved in stabilizing the river shoreline, installing walkways, landscaping and beautifying the corridor, and recently installing the “If I Could But Fly” statue on the Bob Leonard Walkway. They are now entering a new phase with efforts to turn the Fox River into an “active river”. This may involve a white water rapids course, floating gardens, or elevated bike trails. These projects bring this community together and bring vitality to the city of St. Charles. The River Corridor works in conjunction with the City, Forest Preserve and Park District plus local support organizations.
